Two Arrested After Homeless Man Found Slain in Downtown Augusta Trash Bin, Sheriff Says

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Two suspects have been arrested and charged with murder after investigators identified them in the killing of a homeless man whose body was discovered inside a trash bin at a downtown Augusta construction site.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that 17-year-old Lamar Rodriquez Witt and 19-year-old Keshaun Walters were taken into custody after family members recognized the pair from a sheriff’s office BOLO that included surveillance images released earlier that day.

According to the sheriff’s office, a family member brought both individuals to the sheriff’s office, where investigators interviewed them before placing them under arrest.

Both suspects were booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center on murder charges.

The investigation began at approximately 5:06 a.m. Thursday, July 30, when Richmond County deputies responded to the 600 block of Broad Street after receiving a report of a broken window at the renovation site of the former Ramada Plaza Hotel.

While investigating, deputies discovered the body of 65-year-old Nathan Lewis Jr. inside a trash bin on the property.

Investigators said Lewis, who was homeless, had suffered severe cuts. His death was ruled a homicide, and authorities described the killing as an “extremely brutal attack.”

An autopsy is pending.

The sheriff’s office said Lewis’ family has been notified of the arrests.

The investigation remains ongoing.